Leasing Specialist

The Community Builders•Chicago, IL

About The Position

About The Community Builders (TCB) Join a growing organization that is strengthening neighborhoods across the nation! The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB) is one of America's leading nonprofit real estate developers and owners. Our mission is to build and sustain strong communities where all people can thrive. Position Description: The leasing agent must be knowledgeable, friendly, energetic and have a dynamic personality. The leasing agents role is primarily a sales position with a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction, meeting goals, and achieving results. As a leasing agent, you will be responsible for the sales process from start to finish, minimizing vacancies, maximizing occupancy, maximizing tenant retention, creating or assisting with the annual marketing plan, implementing it and making adjustments as needed. Through providing excellent customer service, following up with leads and helping current residents resolve problems as they arise, you will become the face of the property. The leasing agent is also the concierge of the community; they must know their surrounding community and be able to sell it. This position reports directly to the Property Manager Must specialize in Affordable Housing and Tax Credit.

Requirements

Self-starter, self-motivated and requiring minimal supervision
Problem solving skills
Must demonstrate strong sales, customer service, organizational, multi-tasking, communication skills and the ability to close the deal
Attention to detail required
Understands the impact of the first impression and follow up as integral elements of leasing
Knowledge of Federal Fair Housing Laws & Guidelines (training provide). Familiarity with market rate leasing and LIHTC applications.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills required
Basic computer skills, including Word, Excel and Outlook
High-school education or above
Prior experience of at least one year in leasing and affordable housing

Nice To Haves

COS and C3P certifications are preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Greet, pre-qualify, build rapport, follow up and close the lease with prospects for phone, email and site visit traffic
Responsible for community and apartment tours, handling objections and selling features and benefits of the neighborhood and the property
Understand and implement sites leasing criteria in order to pre-qualify and process applicants
Ensure that rental applications are processed in a timely manner and work with relevant staff to ensure that the verification process is completed in a timely manner. Target goal is to keep affordable applications processing time under 30 days and market rate applications within 14 days.
Process appropriate denial/ineligible letters in a timely manner and in accordance with TCB policy
Maintain accurate, up-to-date waiting and transfer lists (if applicable), including purging by TCB policy
Maintain prospect, applicant and resident data, utilizing TCB standardized forms from guest cards to lease files and entering data from these forms into site logs as required
Compile reports with traffic/leasing information, work order information and area info as needed for upper management
Conduct rent comp studies quarterly or as required by the Property Manager
Assist in developing marketing plans including events, internet ads, print ads, outreach, marketing copy, order marketing materials, placing ads and submitting for approval to TCBs marketing department
Collect application fees and deposits as applicable
Responsible for completing the lease package for each rental, including renewals as applicable, renewal notices and questionnaires.
Complete all follow up including prospects within 24 hours of initial contact/visit and new resident follow up within 30 days after move-in
Schedule and perform move-in orientations and inspections and maintain resident handbook
Responsible for the appeal of the rental office show unit and all made-ready vacants
Schedule leasing office hours in order to meet the expected results, including evenings, weekends and holidays
Understand and adhere to the AFHMP (Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan), as applicable.
Ability to maintain professional conduct in all situations.
Assist occupancy specialist as needed and as time permits
May be requested to complete special projects as assigned